Everything the Tour of Flanders can tell us about Paris-Roubaix – The Monument quintuple, no Remco Evenepoel, and Lotte Kopecky's chances

The recent Tour of Flanders offered valuable insights ahead of the upcoming Paris-Roubaix, the next Monument on the cycling calendar scheduled for 12 April. While both races are renowned cobbled Classics, they differ significantly in terrain and challenges, with Paris-Roubaix presenting a flatter but more treacherous and unpredictable course. The Tour of Flanders saw Tadej Pogačar secure a record-equalling third victory in the men’s race, while Demi Vollering claimed her first win in the women’s event. Notably, the women’s podium finishers from Flanders will not contest Paris-Roubaix, shifting the focus to the men’s competition where Pogačar and Mathieu van der Poel are expected to renew their rivalry. Pogačar’s dominance at Flanders has intensified speculation about his potential to win all five Monuments in a single season, a feat never before achieved. Having recently conquered Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders marked his third Monument victory of 2026, leaving only Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Il Lombardia to complete an unprecedented Grand Slam. However, Paris-Roubaix poses a unique challenge for Pogačar due to its flatter profile and the brutal pavé sectors, which diminish his advantage on climbs. The race is anticipated to be a grueling test of endurance and strategy, with van der Poel favoured on the terrain and aiming for a fourth consecutive cobbled Classic win. Remco Evenepoel, who impressed on his cobbled Classic debut at Flanders, will not participate in Paris-Roubaix this year but has expressed a strong desire to race there in the future. Despite lacking experience on the notorious Roubaix pavé, Evenepoel’s powerful time-trialling ability and overall strength make him a promising candidate for the event down the line. His cautious approach reflects the race’s reputation as a high-risk endeavour, especially for riders primarily focused on general classification ambitions, but his eventual participation could add another compelling dynamic to the race. On the women’s side, Lotte Kopecky, who finished fourth at Flanders, is expected to be highly motivated for Paris-Roubaix Femmes. Although she was unable to match the climbing prowess of Vollering on the Flemish hills, Kopecky’s recent Milan-San Remo victory has eased some pressure and fuelled her determination to claim success on the cobbles. With the women’s race running on the same day as the men’s for the first time and featuring 20 cobbled sectors, Kopecky’s form and tactical acumen will be crucial in navigating the unique challenges of northern France’s pavé. As the cycling world turns its attention to Paris-Roubaix, the narratives forged at Flanders set the stage for an intense and unpredictable battle. Pogačar’s quest for history, van der Poel’s pursuit of dominance, Evenepoel’s future ambitions, and Kopecky’s renewed